This time last year she hadn’t even auditioned for The X Factor but now County Durham’s Sam Lavery is having the time of her life on the show’s live tour.

Coxhoe teenager Sam earned herself plenty of fans on her way to finishing in seventh place in the hit ITV contest last year and now she’s getting the chance to play for them all over the UK.

The nationwide jaunt kicked off in Nottingham on February 23 but it’s the March 10 gig that Sam’s really looking forward to as it will bring her back to home turf when she and the likes of Matt Terry, Saara Aalto and of course Honey G, perform at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena in front of a crowd that will include plenty of her friends and family.

“I’m so so excited,” Sam told The Chronicle.

“It’s come round so quick. As soon as the dates came out I looked for the Newcastle date. I just know it’s going to be my favourite one of the tour.

“Even if I hadn’t made the cut I would have gone. I’ve been to The X Factor tour with my mam before and I always said it was my dream to be on the stage.”

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Sam got a taste of what it’s like to be in the spotlight at the Metro Radio Arena when she performed at Christmas Live in December which she said she treated as a warm up for the big one.

“This time last year I never thought I’d be playing the arena two times in the space of a few months - it’s insane!

“Being asked to be on at Christmas Live with John Legend, James Arthur, Olly Murs and everyone was crazy and I loved every second.

“I can’t wait to get back on the stage!

“I can’t give too much away as to what I’ll be doing but me, Saara and Emily are doing a group number I’m really excited for!”

The X Factor's Sam Lavery with her grandparents Ernie and Sonia and parents Jimmy and Tracey

Since the live tour got started, Sam has taken to social media to tell everyone how much she’s enjoying it and she can’t wait to share her big moment in Newcastle with some of her nearest and dearest as well as showing her X Factor pals the sights.

“I think the whole of the village is coming - Coxhoe will be empty!” Sam joked.

“Ir’s going to be so good to be on that stage knowing loads of my friends and family are out there watching.

“I’m also going to take a few of the X Factor lot on a tour of Newcastle if we have time, oh and perfect their Geordie accents!”